Paris Museums and Monuments  There is a rich variety of museums and monuments for the culture vultures!  Of course such attractions aren't always suited to children.  Some of these recommendations make a special effort to cater for the family, others are places we think you cannot afford to miss (and a brief visit will make it more palatable!).

Musée d'Orsay
Location: On the Rue de Lille on the south bank of the Seine.  Best approached from the Métro line 12 (Solférino stn), or by Batobus.
General Info: €8 per adult, free to under 18s.  Free first Sunday every month.  Admission is free for everyone after 16.15 pm every day except Thursday and after 18.00 pm on Thursdays.  Closed on Mondays, late opening till 21.45 on Thursdays.  Website.
Description: A national art museum with exhibits from some of France’s most revered artists including Monet, Cézanne, Daumier and Van Gogh.  Situated in a converted 19th century railway station which itself is an architectural masterpiece.
Our recommendations: For adults there is a guided tour in English daily from Tuesday to Saturday at 11.30am.  If time allows, enjoy the reasonably priced set lunch menu in the restaurant - but arrive early!  The surroundings are grand but the welcome is warm with children welcome.  Avoid visiting when the Louvre is closed - everyone will come here instead!
For the children: Ask at the visitor’s desks for English activity packs available to help the children appreciate the exhibits more.

Other historic sites in Paris.

Within easy reach of Paris are the splendid châteaux of Versailles and Fontainebleau, as well as Monet's home town of Giverny.

HOT TIP: Many museums are free on the first Sunday in each month!